Assignment Prompt:
Describe some of the common physical and mental health issues that individuals of African descent face in America. What factors might contribute to the underutilization of mental health services among African Americans? What can be done at local, state, and federal levels to advocate for change?

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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

✅ Step 1: Break Down the Question

• Part 1: Identify common physical health issues among African Americans.

• Part 2: Identify common mental health issues.

• Part 3: Explain why African Americans underutilize mental health services.

• Part 4: Suggest what local, state, and federal levels can do.

✅ Step 2: Gather Your Research
Use scholarly and credible sources (CDC, NIH, APA, peer-reviewed journals).

• Physical health issues: higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease.

• Mental health issues: depression, PTSD, anxiety, higher stress from racism/discrimination.

• Barriers to service: stigma, cultural mistrust, lack of access, financial constraints.

• Solutions: community education, culturally competent providers, policy reforms.

✅ Step 3: Structure Your Paper
Introduction

• Briefly explain the importance of addressing African American health disparities.

• Preview the issues, barriers, and solutions.

Body Paragraphs

1. Physical Health Issues

   • Hypertension, diabetes, cancer disparities.

   • Support with statistics (CDC, NIH).

2. Mental Health Issues

   • Depression, anxiety, trauma from racial discrimination.

   • Include data on prevalence.

3. Barriers to Mental Health Services

   • Cultural stigma, mistrust, financial barriers.

   • Explain with scholarly evidence.

4. Advocacy Solutions

   • Local: community programs, faith-based initiatives.

   • State: expand Medicaid, support mental health clinics.

   • Federal: national awareness campaigns, workforce diversity in healthcare.

Conclusion

• Summarize key findings.

• Call for urgent action to improve equity.

✅ Step 4: Add References
Follow APA 7th edition style. Example:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Health disparities in African American populations. https://www.cdc.gov

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